Tag: Dax Milne

Panthers sign former Commanders WR to practice squad

The Panthers added former seventh-round pick Dax Milne to their practice squad on Wednesday.

The Carolina Panthers filled the vacancy on their practice squad this morning.

As announced on Wednesday, the team has signed wide receiver Dax Milne. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder spent a pair of seasons (2021 and 2022) with the Washington Commanders.

A South Jordan, Utah native, Milne played his college ball at nearby Brigham Young University from 2018 to 2020. His final year as a Cougar would prove to be his best—as he led the Big 12 Conference in both receptions (70) and receiving yards (1,188) while scoring eight touchdowns.

Washington would then select Milne in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. He’d serve primarily as a special teams weapon, amassing a league-high 40 punt returns at an average of 7.8 yards per attempt in 2022.

Milne is now the second addition to Carolina’s practice squad in as many days. He joins tight end Stephen Sullivan, who officially returned to the team on Tuesday in place of inside linebacker Shaquille Quarterman.

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Commanders place WR Dax Milne on IR: Re-sign DE William Bradley-King

Could we see Jamison Crowder on Sunday?

The Washington Commanders placed third-year wide receiver Dax Milne on the reserve/injured list Friday and re-signed defensive end William Bradley-King.

Milne is dealing with a groin injury from the preseason. With Milne out, the Commanders still have six wide receivers on the 53-man roster. However, the Commanders recently re-signed former starting wideout Jamison Crowder to the practice squad. Washington could elevate Crowder for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals to serve as the punt returner. Undrafted rookie Kazmeir Allen is also an option, but Crowder appears more likely.

Bradley-King’s signing is interesting. A seventh-round pick in 2021, Bradley-King has gone between the active roster and practice squad in his first two NFL seasons. He was released during final cuts and re-signed again to the practice squad. Earlier this week, the Commanders released him from the practice squad.

What does Bradley-King’s re-signing mean for the status of Chase Young? We will likely know the answer later on Friday when head coach Ron Rivera speaks to the media.

Why the Commanders kept Dax Milne

Milne is back for a third season with Washington.

Commanders fans were very excited watching undrafted free-agent receiver Kazmeir Allen, yet the Commanders coaching staff and front office chose to keep Dax Milne.

There will be those scratching their heads, voicing disapproval, wanting to see Allen running back kicks in 2023 for the Commanders.

Well, if Allen clears waivers he most certainly will be brought back and assigned to the practice squad. The former UCLA Bruin has exhibited a quickness on a few returns that no doubt has caught the coaches’ eyes as well.

However, general manager Martin Mayhew already stated Tuesday regarding his receivers, “You know our top guys are really special. And we think there are some young guys who can develop behind those.”

Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are clearly the top four receivers.

Byron Pringle brings three years of experience with the Chiefs and one with the Bears to the equation. If injury occurs to one of the top four, Pringle would be called upon right away.

Mitchell Tinsley (Penn State) is a rookie whom the Commanders kept because he displayed more potential as an actual receiver than Milne and Allen. Washington did not want to expose Tinsley to waivers for fear he could very likely have been claimed.

Thus, the final receiver roster spot came down to Milne and Allen. Yes, Allen flashed more return potential than Milne in the preseason. But he also had two miscues in the final preseason game against Cincinnati.

Some will immediately respond, “But all Milne did last season was catch punts. He did not have breakaway ability.” Yes, you are correct; Milne did not display breakaway ability. Yet, you are also correct; he caught the ball. You can’t return the ball unless you initially field the ball.

The Commanders chose to go with Milne to field the punts for now. As for kickoffs? The NFL has absolutely ruined kickoffs, virtually eliminating them. They have so minimized kickoffs the Commanders may return very few kicks this season.

The Commanders will likely bring back Allen to the practice squad. They will have him learning more about the receiver position and give him lots of reps fielding Tress Way’s punting workouts during the season.

You may be upset for now, but hold on, you may see Allen returning punts in the Commanders future.

But for now, the wiser move was to go with Milne.

Undrafted wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to make Commanders’ initial 53-man roster

The Commanders keep the undrafted rookie wideout.

Wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley was one of Washington’s priority signings after the 2023 NFL draft. Now, it looks like the undrafted rookie from Penn State will make the Commanders’ initial 53-man roster, according to John Keim of ESPN.

The competition for the final two — or three — wide receiver spots on Washington’s 53-man roster was competitive. Tinsley impressed throughout OTAs, training camp and the preseason. In the final preseason game against the Bengals, Tinsley caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

The Commanders did not want to take the chance of losing Tinsley via a waiver claim.

Earlier on Tuesday, Washington released fellow undrafted rookie wideout Kazmeir Allen. Allen has potential but is raw as a receiver and punt returner, and the Commanders would like to continue developing him on the practice squad.

While the final roster isn’t yet set, Dax Milne is also expected to make Washington’s roster for the third consecutive season. Veteran Byron Pringle is also expected to make Washington’s initial 53-man roster, which would mean seven wide receivers. Those numbers could change once cuts from all 32 teams are finalized.

WATCH: Mitchell Tinsley making his case for the Commanders’ 53-man roster

Mitchell Tinsley stated his case on Saturday evening.

Four wide receivers are guaranteed to make the Washington Commanders’ 53-man roster. Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are locks for the Commanders.

However, one of the biggest battles of the summer was for those final two wide receiver spots on the roster. Of course, Washington could keep three, but two appears more likely.

As training camp began last month, the Commanders signed veteran Byron Pringle. Pringle, who played for offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy with the Kansas City Chiefs, has looked comfortable all summer. He appears ahead of the field to be Washington’s No. 5 receiver.

As for No. 6, it’s a battle between undrafted rookies Kazmeir Allen and Mitchell Tinsley, Dax Milne and veteran Marcus Kemp. Kemp offers size, experience and special-teams’ prowess. Milne is entering his third season with Washington. The coaches like and trust him, and he can also return punts.

Finally, we have Tinsley and Allen. The undrafted rookies have both had a good summer.

In Washington’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, it was Tinsley who made the most of final audition to make the 53-man roster.

First, there was this touchdown reception from Jacoby Brissett.

Then, there was this touchdown reception from Jake Fromm — only the officials ruled him down near the goal line. How? The Commanders would score on the next play.

In case you needed one more Tinsley highlight.

Has Tinsley done enough? Only head coach Ron Rivera and the coaching staff know the answer to that question. From all appearances, yes, he has, but we’ll all find out on Tuesday.

 

10 players on Commanders’ roster bubble heading into final preseason game

Which players head into Saturday’s preseason finale on the roster bubble?

Two preseason games are in the books, and NFL teams will wrap up the 2023 preseason this weekend. Following this weekend’s slate of games, teams will then turn their attention to making final roster cuts by next Tuesday, Aug. 29.

The Washington Commanders meet the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday to finish their preseason. It’s unknown if head coach Ron Rivera plans to play his starters, but if he does, it won’t be for long. Saturday’s preseason finale will be about those players on the roster bubble attempting to make one last impression for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Here are 10 players on the roster bubble with less than a week until cutdown day.

WATCH: Commanders WR Dax Milne makes one-handed catch

Dax Milne with the catch of the day Monday.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Dax Milne is in his third training camp. And like the previous two years, the former seventh-round pick is battling for a roster spot.

The Commanders have four wide receivers guaranteed to make the roster: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. Washington will keep at least six receivers, perhaps seven, meaning there are several players vying for what are likely two spots.

Milne is one of those players. Perhaps one thing in Milne’s favor is his experience as a punt returner. Whoever wins a roster spot will likely double as a returner. Milne didn’t exactly light it up as a punt returner last season, but he remains an option there.

But where Milne really helps his case is at receiver. He can play multiple positions and catches literally everything. During Monday’s practice, Milne came down with a beautiful one-handed along the sideline.

Check it down.

As it turns out, Milne was having some good-natured fun with the defense after the catch.

With two preseason games left, Milne, along with Byron Pringle, Marcus Kemp, Mitchell Tinsley and Kazmeir Allen, remains locked in a battle for those final wide receiver spots on Washington’s 53-man roster.

 

Commanders, Rivera hoping UCLA rookie earns roster spot

There is excitement that Kazmeir Allen can be Washington’s punt returner.

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It is no secret Ron Rivera is looking for a punt returner in his fourth season.

Thus far in his three seasons, Rivera has used seven punt returners, and it is no secret has liked what he has seen thus far in undrafted rookie free agent from UCLA Kazmeir Allen.

Some caution would be to be reminded that Allen only returned kickoffs in his final two seasons at UCLA. Will he show enough in preseason returning punts that Rivera and the staff will want to go with Allen as the punt returner? Will he unseat Antonio Gibson, being the kick returner as well?

Rivera, in his first season, primarily used Steven Sims, returning 24 punts for an average of 6.7 yards per return with a long of 25 yards. Isaiah Wright, Greg Stroman and Danny Johnson also saw very limited action on punt returns, none averaging 4 yards a return.

In his second season as head coach, Rivera enjoyed the consistency of DeAndre Carter. Carter, though only having a longest punt return of 16 yards in 2021, still managed to average 8.4 on his returns.

However, Washington was unable to re-sign Carter, the native Californian. Born in San Jose and having played his college ball at Sacramento State, Carter chose to return to southern California, signing with the Chargers for 2022.

Last season (2022), Rivera’s third in Washington, saw Dax Milne return 40 punts averaging 7.8 yards a punt, and Alec Erickson (4 for 25 yards). Commanders fans have frankly been unfair to Milne, unfairly judging him as a failure. However, the facts reveal though Milne never broke a long return (19 yards longest), he did finish 12th of those making enough punt returns to qualify.

But yes, Rivera and staff are hoping Allen will bring the bigger returns the team has been lacking in his previous three seasons.

 

Washington Commanders: 5 winners from minicamp

Which players stood out during the mandatory minicamp?

The Washington Commanders wrapped up their three-day mandatory minicamp Thursday and are one OTA away from being finished for a while.

The Commanders have one final OTA practice Tuesday before taking a six-week break for training camp.

The week started with the news of defensive end Chase Young’s return to the team. Young, Montez Sweat and Charles Leno Jr. skipped Washington’s voluntary OTAs the previous two weeks. All three players were present for earlier portions of the offseason program in April.

It was another week in the development of quarterback Sam Howell. Howell had his moments — positive and negative — and has done enough to enter training camp as QB1, according to head coach Ron Rivera.

It’s difficult to call players winners and losers during a three-day minicamp with no hitting. However, we’ll name five players who left the minicamp trending in a positive direction.

Don’t count out Commanders WR Dax Milne just yet

Dax Milne may not return kicks in 2023, but that doesn’t mean you should count him out.

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The Washington Commanders selected wide receiver Dax Milne in the seventh round — No. 258 overall in the 2021 NFL draft. In the same draft, Washington selected Dyami Brown in the third round. Also, earlier in that offseason, Washington signed free agent Curtis Samuel to a three-year contract.

One year later, the Commanders selected Jahan Dotson at No. 16 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

Yet, through it all, Milne remains. And the 2023 season will be similar to the previous two years; Milne will be in a battle to win a roster spot this summer.

As a rookie in 2021, Milne appeared in 13 games, making nine receptions for 82 yards. In 2022, Milne took over as Washington’s primary kick and punt returner when the Commanders chose not to bring back DeAndre Carter. Milne played in 15 games, caught six passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Milne didn’t exactly separate himself as a returner.

However, Milne is quietly having a strong offseason through OTAs and minicamp. On the final day of the mandatory minicamp Thursday, Milne continued to stand out, per Zach Selby of commanders.com.

Despite being a seventh-round pick, Dax Milne has managed to stick around because of his route running and reliable hands. He’s managed to pull down some impressive catches over the past few weeks, and he had two more during Thursday’s practice. He managed to create some separation against Benjamin St-Juste for a catch on a comeback route, and he caught a touchdown over Danny Johnson during team drills.

So, while Milne may not make Washington’s 53-man roster for his special teams play in 2023, you shouldn’t rule him out as the team’s No. 4 or No. 5 receiver. Remember, the Commanders often keep six wide receivers.

Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel are locks as the top three wideouts. Brown is almost a lock, leaving Milne to battle veteran Marcus Kemp, Kyric McGowan and undrafted rookies Kazmeir Allen and Mitchell Tinsley for potentially two spots.

If Allen is healthy, he’s a leading contender to return punts. But Milne has proven his value as a backup wide receiver. He can get open against starting cornerbacks, runs precise routes and is an overall reliable player.

Too many people had Milne not making the roster after struggling as a returner last season. Yet, Milne continues to prove he has value.

Don’t count Milne out just yet.